FC Edmonton Academy graduate and current James Madison University sophomore midfielder Thomas Shores was honoured last week with an All-Academic team selection. In total, four members of James Madison's NCAA Division 1 men's soccer team earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honours.

JMU RELEASE / ABOUT FC EDMONTON ACADEMY

In addition to his excellence in the classroom, Shores appeared in 13 games for the Dukes, including eight starts. He registered 11 shots, playing primarily as a central midfielder and providing a creative spark for the Dukes.

"We see all too often young academy players only focused on a sport when the academic component is so important," FC Edmonton Academy technical director Jeff Paulus stated. "Thomas is a great example of how one can support the other. Of course there is a discipline to succeeding in the classroom and this can express itself in the discipline of a young academy or even professional player."

Shores is just one of several FC Edmonton Academy graduates competing south of the border, with Zach Rochat (Freshman, University of Texas at Tyler), Matthew King (Sophomore, Grand Canyon University) and Morgan Graham (Freshman, San Diego State University) all enrolled at NCAA institutions.

JMU finished in a three-way tie for fifth in the CAA standings, but lost the tiebreaker to William & Mary and College of Charleston and missed out on the CAA Championships. Shores and the Dukes ended the year on a four-game win streak and won five of their last six games.

ABOUT FC EDMONTON ACADEMY

FC Edmonton Academy began in January 2012 and now in its sixth year, continues to be a fully funded program by FC Edmonton owners Tom and Dave Fath. One of the goals of the Academy is to provide an opportunity for the elite player to focus solely on their individual growth within the playing philosophy of FC Edmonton.